The Wilberforce School Faculty and Staff
Academic Dean
World History
Dr. Karen Ristuccia
Dr. Ristuccia loves introducing TWS students to history, composition, and literature. For over twenty years, Karen has taught English and Social studies class to middle school students, Bible studies in the community and at Sunday school, in addition to serving for seven years in campus ministry at Princeton University. From 1990 to 2006, Karen also worked as the director of the Westerly Learning Center. Karen graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa in English (also earning her teaching certification) from Princeton University in 1975. She pursued masters studies at Grace Theological Seminary, Dallas Theological Seminary, Philadelphia Biblical University (emphases: Administration, Curriculum Development, and Learning Differences), and also earned a Masters of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (dissertation topic: Junior High Worldview Curriculum). Dr. Ristuccia is active in her local church, where her husband is the Senior Pastor. Karen and her husband have two grown sons and one daughter-in-law.
Explorers I
Alison Eitel
Now in her third year as our Explorers One teacher, Alison enjoys sharing with her students the wonders and challenges of nature and books, of art and music, of the Bible and Christian living. Moving to New Jersey from St. Louis, MO, Mrs. Eitel is an experienced youth worker and Sunday school teacher. She is also a great lover of books with a special passion for education. In addition to teaching, Alison has worked with Booksource, a children's book distributor, where she helped schools and teachers select books for their classrooms, and at Princeton University Press. While earning her BA (summa cum laude) in English Literature at Butler University, Alison served for two years tutoring in writing and study skills. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Teaching English from Teachers College of Columbia University. Mrs. Eitel enjoys both learning foreign languages and running, and she works part-time at “The Bent Spoon.” Mrs. Eitel is married, and her husband is pursuing his Ph.D. studies at Princeton Theological Seminary.
Explorers II
Physical Education
Frances Baird
Mrs. Baird enjoys studying nature and books with her Explorers II and challenging all her Physical Education student to sportsmanship and healthy living. An avid athlete, Frances has competed in cross-country team, swimming, and soccer. She earned her BS in Elementary Education, with Multiple Teaching Credentials, from California State University at Long Beach. Frances has served actively in her church for many years, working both on the worship team and as a junior high youth group leader. She enjoys theater arts, reading, and singing. Mrs. Baird is married, and her husband pursuing his M.Div. studies at Princeton Theological Seminary
Class One
Hillary Overbeck
In her third year as TWS Class One teacher, Mrs. Overbeck loves helping students discover the world and develop a Christian perspective on life and knowledge. Before joining TWS, Hillary taught both elementary and preschool students and also worked as a special education tutor. Mrs. Overbeck came to Princeton from California, where she earned her BA in English with a minor in Education at the University of California at Davis. Hillary loves to run, swim, and surf; when away from the beach, she is an avid reader. Mrs. Overbeck is married, and her husband pursuing his M.Div. studies at Princeton Theological Seminary.
Class Two
Hyme Choi
Ms. Choi is now in her second year of teaching Class Three. She loves the way her students combine drive and community, relishing the challenges which come with more complex reading and mathematics. Before joining TWS, Hyme lived in Charlotte, NC where she taught both first and second grade for the last three years. Hyme has also actively served in her church's children's ministries, both in North Carolina and now in New Jersey. Hyme’s father has been a pastor and church planter for many years, and Hyme is assisting him in planting a church in the Edison area. Hyme attended middle school in Russia and knows not only Russian but a number of other languages as well. A graduate of the University of North Carolina, Hyme earned a BS in elementary education, with a minor in Social Studies. In addition to her classroom experience, Hyme has also tutored both K-12 and ESL students. She enjoys the challenges of NJ home ownership, even if it means refinishing floors.
Class Three
Grace Cho
In her third year at TWS, Mrs. Cho especially enjoys sharing "living books" with students and experiencing along with them the excitement of discovering God's world and themselves within these pages. Her extensive experience in both teaching and youth ministry display her obvious love for children and her gift for teaching. Before joining our faculty Grace taught elementary school for six years in Virginia and Maryland. Grace also started the junior high ministry at the Korean Central Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA, capping off eight years of youth ministry. Mrs. Cho earned a BS in Elementary Education from the University of Maryland and a Masters in Christian Education from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She also worked nearly two years as a Project Editor for McGraw Hill Education. Mrs. Cho is married, and her husband works in the financial services sector.
Class Four and Five
Lesley Dean
Lesley has spent the past six years teaching in various capacities: as a T.A., a subsitute, and for the last two years as a middle school math teacher. She has worked with students at all levels--from those with special needs to the gifted. An avid athlete, Lesley has also coached girls cross country, basketball, and softball. During her college years, Mrs. Dean worked at a Christian camp, Kanakuk, for girls aged seven to eleven. Here she served both as a counselor and as a member of the leadership team in charge of camper issues. Lesley is a 2003 graduate of Baylor University, with a B.A. in Journalism, and a 2007 graduate of Lindenwood University, with a Masters in Teaching. Just married this summer, Lesley and her husband are participants in their church, Jacob's Well.
Class Six and Seven
Leo Yoon
Now in his second year at TWS, Mr. Yoon enjoys discussing literature and Christian worldview with his TWS students, challenging them to live up to their highest God-given potential. Leo brings a wealth of experience to his classroom gleaned from years both as an instructor of mathematics and standardized test preparation and as his church’s youth director. In all his teaching activities, Leo is known for his ability to combine fun with real learning, and faith with real-life experiences. Leo is a graduate of State University of New York (Binghamton) with a degree in electrical engineering. He also has an M. Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary and an MA in math education from Columbia University's Teacher's College. Leo is also an avid golfer and an accomplished martial artist. He is married, and his wife is a Princeton University graduate student.
Music
Math Level 6
Teacher’s Aid
Charlotte Chong
Whether leading an experienced chorus or introducing beginning recorder, Ms. Chong Charlotte enjoys sharing her gifts with her students and seeing each one of them develop their musical skills and appreciation. Charlotte has taught private piano lessons, led junior high choir and general music classes, served as an arts camp counselor, and taught music play to preschoolers. Currently she serves as an accompanist (choirs, recitals) and teaches private piano lessons. A resident of Cherry Hill, NJ, Ms. Chong is a graduate of the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music with a BS in Music Education. In addition to piano, Charlotte also plays the flute, and her major at college was vocal performance. At Oberlin, Charlotte served as president of her Inter-Varsity Fellowship. Charlotte is active in her church, and, as a hobby, she enjoys visiting different restaurants and trying new foods.
Lower School Art
Spanish
Ester Smith
Ester Smith teaches Spanish, Art, and Writing Skills with a unique approach that springs from the convergence of her experiences in business, education, and missions. Ester began her professional career as a Promotions Manager for one of central Illinois' largest newspapers, where she designed and executed marketing campaigns. Moving on to New York City, she free-lanced, worked for the world-wide advertising agency BBD & O and then went on to manage a Wall Street firm's art department as their Creative Director. In Pennsylvania she started teaching art classes in her home, at home school organizations, and in adult education programs. Ester has taught Spanish, Art, and Reading/Writing Skills for the last dozen years in the Princeton area at several private schools, where she typically played the founding
role in establishing the Art and Spanish language programs. Ester invests her spare time, whenever possible, in translating for speakers at missions events and trips. If she isn't translating Spanish to English, or vice-verse, she's teaching young people how to see and how to translate those impressions onto paper and canvas. Ester is a graduate from Illinois State University, with a dual Bachelor's in Design and Spanish.
Latin
Logic
Audrey Hindes DiPalma
Ms. DiPalma combines a love for language with a desire to see students grow in their faith in and service for Christ. Students love the way Audrey makes the challenge of learning Latin fun, and the way she sprinkles her knowledge of Greek and of history into class discussions. Audrey comes to Princeton from California, where she earned a BA (cum laude) in Biblical Studies and Classics (Fresno Pacific University) and an MA in Biblical Languages (Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley). She has taught at the university level for five years, teaching both Biblical studies and Biblical Hebrew. Ms. DiPalma also has worked as a youth minister and camp speaker. While Audrey misses the beauty of California's mountains and beaches, she enjoys being in NJ as her husband studies at Princeton Theological Seminary. Audrey loves to cook, to knit, and to quilt, and her students enjoy seeing (and tasting) the fruits of her labors.
Academic Dean
World History
Dr. Karen Ristuccia
Dr. Ristuccia loves introducing TWS students to history, composition, and literature. For over twenty years, Karen has taught English and Social studies class to middle school students, Bible studies in the community and at Sunday school, in addition to serving for seven years in campus ministry at Princeton University. From 1990 to 2006, Karen also worked as the director of the Westerly Learning Center. Karen graduated magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa in English (also earning her teaching certification) from Princeton University in 1975. She pursued masters studies at Grace Theological Seminary, Dallas Theological Seminary, Philadelphia Biblical University (emphases: Administration, Curriculum Development, and Learning Differences), and also earned a Masters of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (dissertation topic: Junior High Worldview Curriculum). Dr. Ristuccia is active in her local church, where her husband is the Senior Pastor. Karen and her husband have two grown sons and one daughter-in-law.
Explorers I
Alison Eitel
Now in her third year as our Explorers One teacher, Alison enjoys sharing with her students the wonders and challenges of nature and books, of art and music, of the Bible and Christian living. Moving to New Jersey from St. Louis, MO, Mrs. Eitel is an experienced youth worker and Sunday school teacher. She is also a great lover of books with a special passion for education. In addition to teaching, Alison has worked with Booksource, a children's book distributor, where she helped schools and teachers select books for their classrooms, and at Princeton University Press. While earning her BA (summa cum laude) in English Literature at Butler University, Alison served for two years tutoring in writing and study skills. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Teaching English from Teachers College of Columbia University. Mrs. Eitel enjoys both learning foreign languages and running, and she works part-time at “The Bent Spoon.” Mrs. Eitel is married, and her husband is pursuing his Ph.D. studies at Princeton Theological Seminary.
Explorers II
Physical Education
Frances Baird
Mrs. Baird enjoys studying nature and books with her Explorers II and challenging all her Physical Education student to sportsmanship and healthy living. An avid athlete, Frances has competed in cross-country team, swimming, and soccer. She earned her BS in Elementary Education, with Multiple Teaching Credentials, from California State University at Long Beach. Frances has served actively in her church for many years, working both on the worship team and as a junior high youth group leader. She enjoys theater arts, reading, and singing. Mrs. Baird is married, and her husband pursuing his M.Div. studies at Princeton Theological Seminary
Class One
Hillary Overbeck
In her third year as TWS Class One teacher, Mrs. Overbeck loves helping students discover the world and develop a Christian perspective on life and knowledge. Before joining TWS, Hillary taught both elementary and preschool students and also worked as a special education tutor. Mrs. Overbeck came to Princeton from California, where she earned her BA in English with a minor in Education at the University of California at Davis. Hillary loves to run, swim, and surf; when away from the beach, she is an avid reader. Mrs. Overbeck is married, and her husband pursuing his M.Div. studies at Princeton Theological Seminary.
Class Two
Hyme Choi
Ms. Choi is now in her second year of teaching Class Three. She loves the way her students combine drive and community, relishing the challenges which come with more complex reading and mathematics. Before joining TWS, Hyme lived in Charlotte, NC where she taught both first and second grade for the last three years. Hyme has also actively served in her church's children's ministries, both in North Carolina and now in New Jersey. Hyme’s father has been a pastor and church planter for many years, and Hyme is assisting him in planting a church in the Edison area. Hyme attended middle school in Russia and knows not only Russian but a number of other languages as well. A graduate of the University of North Carolina, Hyme earned a BS in elementary education, with a minor in Social Studies. In addition to her classroom experience, Hyme has also tutored both K-12 and ESL students. She enjoys the challenges of NJ home ownership, even if it means refinishing floors.
Class Three
Grace Cho
In her third year at TWS, Mrs. Cho especially enjoys sharing "living books" with students and experiencing along with them the excitement of discovering God's world and themselves within these pages. Her extensive experience in both teaching and youth ministry display her obvious love for children and her gift for teaching. Before joining our faculty Grace taught elementary school for six years in Virginia and Maryland. Grace also started the junior high ministry at the Korean Central Presbyterian Church in Vienna, VA, capping off eight years of youth ministry. Mrs. Cho earned a BS in Elementary Education from the University of Maryland and a Masters in Christian Education from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. She also worked nearly two years as a Project Editor for McGraw Hill Education. Mrs. Cho is married, and her husband works in the financial services sector.
Class Four and Five
Lesley Dean
Lesley has spent the past six years teaching in various capacities: as a T.A., a subsitute, and for the last two years as a middle school math teacher. She has worked with students at all levels--from those with special needs to the gifted. An avid athlete, Lesley has also coached girls cross country, basketball, and softball. During her college years, Mrs. Dean worked at a Christian camp, Kanakuk, for girls aged seven to eleven. Here she served both as a counselor and as a member of the leadership team in charge of camper issues. Lesley is a 2003 graduate of Baylor University, with a B.A. in Journalism, and a 2007 graduate of Lindenwood University, with a Masters in Teaching. Just married this summer, Lesley and her husband are participants in their church, Jacob's Well.
Class Six and Seven
Leo Yoon
Now in his second year at TWS, Mr. Yoon enjoys discussing literature and Christian worldview with his TWS students, challenging them to live up to their highest God-given potential. Leo brings a wealth of experience to his classroom gleaned from years both as an instructor of mathematics and standardized test preparation and as his church’s youth director. In all his teaching activities, Leo is known for his ability to combine fun with real learning, and faith with real-life experiences. Leo is a graduate of State University of New York (Binghamton) with a degree in electrical engineering. He also has an M. Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary and an MA in math education from Columbia University's Teacher's College. Leo is also an avid golfer and an accomplished martial artist. He is married, and his wife is a Princeton University graduate student.
Music
Math Level 6
Teacher’s Aid
Charlotte Chong
Whether leading an experienced chorus or introducing beginning recorder, Ms. Chong Charlotte enjoys sharing her gifts with her students and seeing each one of them develop their musical skills and appreciation. Charlotte has taught private piano lessons, led junior high choir and general music classes, served as an arts camp counselor, and taught music play to preschoolers. Currently she serves as an accompanist (choirs, recitals) and teaches private piano lessons. A resident of Cherry Hill, NJ, Ms. Chong is a graduate of the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music with a BS in Music Education. In addition to piano, Charlotte also plays the flute, and her major at college was vocal performance. At Oberlin, Charlotte served as president of her Inter-Varsity Fellowship. Charlotte is active in her church, and, as a hobby, she enjoys visiting different restaurants and trying new foods.
Lower School Art
Spanish
Ester Smith
Ester Smith teaches Spanish, Art, and Writing Skills with a unique approach that springs from the convergence of her experiences in business, education, and missions. Ester began her professional career as a Promotions Manager for one of central Illinois' largest newspapers, where she designed and executed marketing campaigns. Moving on to New York City, she free-lanced, worked for the world-wide advertising agency BBD & O and then went on to manage a Wall Street firm's art department as their Creative Director. In Pennsylvania she started teaching art classes in her home, at home school organizations, and in adult education programs. Ester has taught Spanish, Art, and Reading/Writing Skills for the last dozen years in the Princeton area at several private schools, where she typically played the founding
role in establishing the Art and Spanish language programs. Ester invests her spare time, whenever possible, in translating for speakers at missions events and trips. If she isn't translating Spanish to English, or vice-verse, she's teaching young people how to see and how to translate those impressions onto paper and canvas. Ester is a graduate from Illinois State University, with a dual Bachelor's in Design and Spanish.
Latin
Logic
Audrey Hindes DiPalma
Ms. DiPalma combines a love for language with a desire to see students grow in their faith in and service for Christ. Students love the way Audrey makes the challenge of learning Latin fun, and the way she sprinkles her knowledge of Greek and of history into class discussions. Audrey comes to Princeton from California, where she earned a BA (cum laude) in Biblical Studies and Classics (Fresno Pacific University) and an MA in Biblical Languages (Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley). She has taught at the university level for five years, teaching both Biblical studies and Biblical Hebrew. Ms. DiPalma also has worked as a youth minister and camp speaker. While Audrey misses the beauty of California's mountains and beaches, she enjoys being in NJ as her husband studies at Princeton Theological Seminary. Audrey loves to cook, to knit, and to quilt, and her students enjoy seeing (and tasting) the fruits of her labors.